Residents of Geoyeom and Macheon in Songpa-gu "Housing Environment Improvement Most Needed"

42% Choose "City with Excellent Residential Environment" as Future Vision in Survey for Songpa-gu 'Geoye·Macheon Area Comprehensive Development Plan' Establishment

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) conducted a resident survey to establish the key project, the ‘Geoyeomacheon Area Comprehensive Development Plan,’ and found that residents feel the greatest need for improving the residential environment.

The district is currently formulating the ‘Geoyeomacheon Area Comprehensive Development Plan’ as its top priority project this year to promote balanced regional development.

This area has experienced relatively slow development, leading to strong resident demands for regional advancement. Additionally, with the recent full-scale promotion of the redevelopment acceleration project and the development of surrounding areas such as Wirye New Town and Hanam Gam-il District, a prompt response is required.

Accordingly, to actively reflect local residents' opinions during the development process, the district conducted a resident survey for 17 days from April 28 to May 14.

Considering the COVID-19 situation, the survey was conducted online using non-face-to-face questionnaires and social networks, with 4,169 residents from Geoyeomacheon and nearby areas participating.

The survey focused on the future vision of the city desired by local residents, utilization plans for public facilities on donated land, development methods for the preservation management zone within the redevelopment acceleration area, development directions around Geoyeomacheon Station’s transit-oriented district, and other opinions.

Regarding awareness of the ‘Geoyeomacheon Area Comprehensive Development Plan,’ 72% of respondents answered ‘well aware’ or ‘somewhat aware,’ confirming high resident interest in regional development.

In particular, about 42%?nearly half?of residents chose ‘a city with an excellent residential environment’ as the desired ‘2030 future vision for Geoyeomacheon Area,’ indicating the need to improve aging residential areas.

Following this, ‘a city rich in welfare and cultural infrastructure’ accounted for 20% (813 people), ‘a city with convenient public transportation’ 18% (745 people), and ‘a city with excellent natural environment’ such as rivers and parks 11% (476 people).

Regarding the redevelopment method of full demolition in the low-rise residential area within the preservation management zone of the Geoyeomacheon redevelopment acceleration area, targeting residents (including owners) of Macheon Catholic Church area, Macheon 2 area, and Geoyeosaemaeul area, 80.1% (2,069 people) supported it, 7.5% (194 people) opposed, and 12.4% (319 people) were unsure, showing a high level of support.

When asked about the development direction of the transit-oriented district around Geoyeo Station and Macheon Station, ‘expansion of cultural facilities such as movie theaters’ was the highest at 28.5%. For the most needed public facilities in the area, ‘performance halls and cultural facilities’ (24.4%) and ‘libraries and educational facilities’ (17%) were selected in order, suggesting the need to create public cultural facilities that all generations can use diversely.

Other opinions included ▲ establishment of new schools and surrounding maintenance (194 people), renovation and redevelopment of aging residential areas (189 people) ▲ extension and improvement of Line 5 Macheon Station (302 people), attraction and extension of GTX-D line (165 people), improvement of public transportation (182 people) ▲ expansion of cultural, welfare, and sports facilities (154 people), creation of parks and walking trails (101 people) ▲ maintenance of Namhansanseong and Seongnaecheon (82 people).

The district plans to establish the plan reflecting the survey results and expert opinions with goals of ▲ rebirth as a premium residential complex ▲ creation of a pedestrian-friendly city ▲ expansion of road and transportation systems ▲ diversification of cultural and welfare facilities.

Additionally, on July 6, the ‘Geoyeomacheon Regional Development Council’ will be launched, involving resident representatives, related experts, and local council members, to comprehensively incorporate various opinions into the project.

Songpa-gu Mayor Park Seong-su stated, “We will prioritize residents’ opinions and strive for communication throughout the process of promoting the ‘Geoyeomacheon Area Comprehensive Development Plan.’ We will actively reflect residents’ opinions to make Geoyeomacheon a premium residential complex where everyone wants to live and a new leap forward.”